Spring shackle



Nov. 21, 1933- E. J. w. NIELSEN SPRING SHACKLE Filed Dec. 27, 1930Patented Nev. 21, 1933 SPRING ,SHACKLE Edward James Westergaard Nielsen,Bowen, Queensland, Australia Application December 27, 1930, Serial No.505,112, and in Australia February 10, 1930 I 3 Claims. (01. zen- 5c)This invention is for an improved spring shackle, and refers moreparticularly to a shackle for use in connection with the springing ofmotor vehicles and the like.

At present it is usual to employ a shackle between the end of the dumbiron and the end of the main leaf of the spring. This shackle is subjectto considerable friction and requires constant lubrication to preventwear, and avoid the noise which is set up by the dry parts moving overone another. After excessive wear lateral movement between the chassisand thespring is set up.

The object of my invention is to provide a shackle which is simple andinexpensive to manufacture, lit and maintain, and which will eliminate agreat deal of the friction, and dispense with the necessity for constantlubrication, at the same time enabling freer and more satis' factoryaction of the spring.

My invention also contemplates of means in the said shackle fordampening the the dumb iron or chassis or be secured to it. This shackleincorporates a flanged roller, the flange running in a slot horizontalwith the spring leaf. The end of the spring (main and second leaves)passes through the shackle, and the main leaf is also provided with aslot to accommodate the flange of the roller. Beneath the second leaf Iprovide a spacing and retaining bolt, at right angles to the spring. Theface of theroller, on

each side of the central flange, runs on the top underside of theshackle and on the upper side of the main leaf. The ends of the mainleaf and second leaf (the latter not slotted) pass right out between thebeforementioned flanged roller and the spacing bolt. The flangerunningin the slots prevents lateral movement of the chassis relative to thespring, and also prevents twisting of the roller.

.As the load descends upon the wheels striking an obstruction the springflattens and its free end moves out under and with the roller, andreturns upon the rebound. The roller during this movement of the springhas unrestricted movement to and fro. r

In a modification the end of the main leaf is extended back and turnedup engaging a screw which tensions and holds a spiral spring'between theend of the said turned end ofthe main leaf and the back of the shackle.As the body descends the spiral spring is extended and upon the Figure 7is an the provision rebound acts as a snubber in conjunction with theshackle.

In order that the invention may be better understood reference will behad to the accompanying sheet of drawings wherein- 1 Figure l is anelevation of a shackle in accordance with this invention;

Figure 2 is an end view of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a detail view of the main leaf showing the flanged roller inposition;

Figure i is an elevation of a shackle embodying'a snubber in accordancewith this invention;

Figure 5 is a detail view of the snubber; and

Figure 6 is a detail view of the main leaf showing the extension.

elevation of a modified construction of the invention employing a rollerhaving end flanges.

Figure 8 is a detail elevation of said roller.

Referring to Figures 1, 2, and 3 a casting A is shown bolted or rivetedto the dumb iron B. A slot C in the casting A is directly above a slot Din themain leaf E of the spring. A roller F having a flange Gaccommodates itself between the underside of the casting A and the mainleaf E,

theflange accommodating itself in slot C of casting A and slot D of mainleaf E. The spacing bolt K may be provided with a thimble J and islocated beneath the spring and at the lower'end of the casting A.

' It will be obvious that the casting A may be integral with the dumbiron B or be secured to it as shown in the drawing. Inuse the end of themain leaf E is normally beneath roller F. As the spring functionstheleaves E and H move longitudinally beneath roller Rand the flange Grunning in the slots C and D prevents lateral movement of the casting Arelative to the spring E. Bolt K also provides against the load leavingthe roller in an excessive rebound.

. Referring to Figures 4, 5 and 6, the casting A is shown as bolted orriveted to the dumb iron 13. The various operative parts are similar tothose shown in Figure 1, the addition thereto being the snubbershown indetail in Figure 5. The snubber comprises a spring M held between theshackle A and an extension L of the main leaf;

The spring M is secured at each end to cap pieces N and N, the formerbeing provided with a bead 0 (see Figure 5) adapted to lie in a channelP (see Figure 4) in the casting A to allow of a rocking motion. Theother cap N is provided with a socket S. The bolt Q passes through theextension L of main leaf E and the ball S at its end enters socket S. Alock nut R may be provided.

In operation the end of main leaf E is beneath roller F and functions asbefore described. The snubber only becomes eifective on the rebound, inwhich case the spring M is compressed between extension L of main leafand shackle A. The compression of spring M may be adjusted by bolt Q.

Referring to Figures '7 and 8, the end of leaf E may move beneath aroller F having flanges F at each side, said flanges F lying alongsidethe edge of spring leaf E. The roller F is adapted to roll upon thecurved surface C in the housing A. This dispenses with the slottingwhile still maintaining the unrestricted movement of the roller Flongitudinally along the spring E, the flange F preventing lateralmovement. Preferably the spring leaf E is turned up at the end.

I claim:

1. An improved shackle of the class described,

comprising in combination with a leaf spring having a slot in its upperleaf forming a runway, a member arranged to be secured to a chassis andhaving an opening through which said leaf spring extends, said memberbeing provided with a slot forming a runway at the upper side of saidopening and a free roller arranged in said opening of said member.between said spring and the upper side of said opening, said rollerhaving a flange engaging the runway of said member and EDWARD JAMESWESTERGAARD NIELSEN.

